If you’re one of our home lending or business finance customers, keep an eye on your inbox. You may receive an email from us this week inviting you to take a survey to be part of our impact research. 
IBA’s next impact study is led by Yindyamarra Consultancy and Lonergan Research. The results will be used to identify how we can improve our products and services to continue to meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The survey invites customers to share your thoughts on the impacts of our activities, and aspects of financial wellbeing. The goal of the impact research is to understand how our products and services support wellbeing at an individual, family, and community level, and to improve our relationships with the communities we serve. It will take approximately ten minutes to complete and closes 7 July 2024.
It builds on studies undertaken in 2020 and 2022 - you can read the latest impact report here.
We really appreciate your participation!
The Strong Women Strong Business Lunch & Learn online sessions are back! Join us online for a lunch hour, and hear from inspiring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
The first in the new series is on Thursday 6 June, 12pm AEST - Goal Setting with Natasha Short.
Natasha Short is a descendant of the Jaru people of the Halls Creek community. Natashas work over the past 25 years has been around community development and investment into social change initiatives.
She has past experience in board memberships, and held various leadership roles over the past 20 years, including executive team appointments. In 2018, Natasha launched the business Kimberley Jiyigas (Birds) ‘A Movement of Kimberley Indigenous Women influencing Social Change’ to help create a voice for Indigenous women, promote Indigenous Culture and empower women into business opportunities.
Natasha is the Managing Director of Kimberley Jiyigas and the Club Captain of the Maganda (Tomorrow) Makers initiative where Influencing social change through Indigenous leadership and business development are a focus and passion.
Natasha is committed to Indigenous people succeeding and living purposeful and independent lives and believes that giving people the resources and support they need, can help transform our communities. Kimberley Jiyigas (Birds) and Maganda (Tomorrow) Makers have created an extensive number of strengths-based resources that seek to educate people, resulting in positive impacts within our communities. These valuable resources, and more information can be found on our websites, and can be used freely.
https://kimberleybirds.com.au/
https://magandamakers.business/
Natasha lives in Kununurra, East Kimberley, with her family.
Book your place or find out more via Eventbrite here.
We'll let you know about future Lunch & Learns soon. Watch this space for details!
I was born in Ayr, North Queensland and grew up on a sugar cane farm on Bindal and Juru country. My family are mainly of Scottish and Swiss German heritage. Since I grew up on a farm on either side of a large creek/lagoon (big enough for waterskiing), I always loved being outdoors especially near the water. Like many farmers of the region, my father was a keen fisherman, so many weekends and holidays were spent either on the water or near it, both fresh and salt water. I love music, and I love to travel. My current travel fixation is Yaegl country of northern New South Wales. Very much like where I grew up. Lots of water, fishing; and of course, sugar cane. 
Nowadays I reside in Brisbane on Turrbal and Yuggera Country, where I live with my husband Vernon, and my two beautiful daughters, Lara and Sasha. I also can’t forget our Jack Russell Foxies Eddie and Frankie, and the ruler of the house our cat Manola.
I currently work as Manager, Compliance and Process Improvement. The role involves improving compliance outcomes for mandatory processes and finding efficiencies in how we deliver our products and services to our business finance customers. Prior to this, my role was supporting the process of customer repayments and defaults.
After high school I attended James Cook University in Townsville and completed a Bachelor of Commerce. I then accepted an entry-level position at Australian Government Solicitor. I assisted with matters relating to the housing and business lending programs for ATSIC, amongst other paralegal responsibilities for various government departments and agencies, including the ATO, the Child Support Agency, Centrelink, Department of Defence, and the ACCC.
Once ATSIC was dissolved, several Australian Government Solicitor staff transitioned to IBA to assist the housing and business programs. I was invited to have a chat with IBA through a colleague and later applied for a role. That was over 17 years ago, and I’ve never looked back. I cannot believe it has been this long!
I have always had a strong sense of justice and equality. What we aspire to achieve at IBA aligns with my values. Growing up, I was always intrigued by ancient cultures and especially admire, the strength, courage and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
I want to make a difference for the better, and IBA provides an opportunity to do that. It’s great to work where everyone collectively shares your hopes for a better future.
Frasier is a show I have watched religiously; it’s definitely one of my favourite shows. It’s witty, funny and I just love the comedic timing. If there was a quiz or trivia based on Frasier, I would definitely be giving everyone a run for their money.
Has your home or business been impacted by the recent floods to parts of the East Coast of New South Wales?
If you have an IBA home loan or business finance product and have been impacted by this weather event, we want to reassure you and your family that IBA is here in times of need.
Customers impacted by the recent natural disaster can apply for an emergency natural disaster relief grant – $5,000 for IBA business finance customers and/or $2,000 for IBA home loan customers.
Applications accepted until midnight 15 June 2024, or until funds are exhausted (whichever comes first).
Apply via the forms below
IBA business finance customers Disaster Relief form
IBA home loan customers Disaster Relief form
Additional information and resource links are below:
Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) launched their 3rd Impact Report at an event on Whadjuk Noongar boodja in Boorloo (Perth WA) on 17 April 2024.
The report was a deep dive into the intergenerational impacts of home ownership as reported by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander single carer and single parent families.
Joined by IBA’s Chair Eddie Fry, Senator Louise Pratt and an honoured panel of customers who shared their personal stories, IBA celebrated the reported social, cultural, and economic impacts highlighted by homeowners.
The launch event held at the State Theatre Centre of WA was opened by musician and Bibbulmun Noongar man Kobi Arthur Morrison and a heartfelt Welcome to Country by Aunty Robyn Collard with a special performance by her grandson, Tryse Rioli, showing how intergenerational impact is not limited to home ownership alone.
This new report is the third in a series of groundbreaking studies looking at the impact of IBA’s activities from the perspective of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The latest results focus on the experiences and impacts of home ownership as reported by First Nations single carer and single parent families.
First Nations single carer and single parent families care for 44% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Australia. 84% of those households are headed by a female. Just over 1 in 5 IBA home loans is with a single carer family.
IBA strive to understand and encourage positive change by investing with First Nations people across business, home ownership, investments and capability development. This report highlights not only the success of First Nations single carer homeowners, but lessons for the broader financial services sector.
Gija woman Kia Dowell is the Executive Director of Strategy & Impact at IBA. From creating the framework and carrying out each of IBA’s previous reports, Kia understands what impact means.
“This report is another critical step in the right direction. IBA seeks to deliver on our purpose and 2028 strategy informed and guided by the lived experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Importantly we must take action and learn from those stories to improve the way products are designed and services delivered.
“We’ve been on our journey with the launch of the framework in 2019 and our first report in 2021. This is not simply about understanding the impacts generated as a result of home ownership, it goes to the heart of intergenerational change.
“Inclusion and prosperity are two of IBA’s strategic goals and when home ownership is realised, it provides further evidence of the positive impact that can be created.
“The demand for home ownership amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continues to increase and this report serves as a reminder to all levels of government and the sector that access to affordable, stable and appropriate housing is a basic human right.
“The next in our impact series is already underway with research kicking off this month to find out how IBA’s activities support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s financial wellbeing. We’re talking directly to community in yarning sessions as well as our more traditional quantitative research.”
Stories shared directly by the inspiring panel of speakers at the launch event highlighted the impacts they experienced to their own wellbeing, aspirations, and determination.
Renarta Coyne is a proud Minang Noongar Yorga woman from the Great Southern Regions of Albany and Mt Barker, Western Australia. As a single mother of 4 children and 12 grandchildren, she talked about both the success and struggles of gaining home ownership.
“Besides my children and grandchildren, I am proud to say I have achieved the ultimate goal of being a ‘Home Owner’ and paving the way for my family.
“As a single mum the journey along the way hasn’t been without challenge although the support and love of my family and friends has seen me through these difficult times.”
Images from the launch event are available.
Media contact: Tara Toohill 02 9207 6362 or tara.toohill@iba.gov.au
Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) is delighted to announce that more than $1 billion in contracts have now been supported through the IBA Performance Bond Trust. This milestone achievement for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander success has continued to grow since the bonds were introduced in 2018.
Since inception, IBA now supports over 500 performance bonds valued at almost $60 million with contracts valued at over $1 billion. A substantial increase since 2020 when after two years IBA had supported over 170 bonds worth $12 million, and contracts valued at nearly $202 million.
Performance bonds are issued to the beneficiary of a contract as security against the other party being unable to meet obligations specified in the contract. Banks often require a 100 per cent cash deposit as security for the bond, which ties up considerable amounts of working capital.
IBA assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses by issuing bonds directly to the buyer, in cases where the business may not have the required level of security to provide a bond facility for their contracts.
The bond partnership that took the contract’s value to over $1 billion was through Mine Power Solutions, an Indigenous-owned and managed diversified construction, mining and electrical contractor which has been successful in winning contracts at Olympic Dam.
Cameron Buzzacott, Managing Director of Mine Power Solutions, is a long-standing IBA customer being the initial performance bond customer through one of his other ventures, Zancott Knight. He says:
“In mid-2018, Zancott Knight strategically decided to collaborate with IBA, transitioning away from our traditional banking institutions for bond requirements.
“Being IBA’s first client, this bond was pivotal for both companies. For Zancott Knight, it was a turning point as it not only streamlined the process of bond origination but also freed up working capital to grow our business.”
IBA CEO Kirsty Moore says, “IBA’s Performance Bond Trust has assisted First Nations contractors across the country to participate in a wide variety of contracts including mining, civil works, construction, facility upgrades and renewable energy construction by guaranteeing their capacity to complete projects while requiring minimal security.
“We’re extremely proud of this milestone figure – it ultimately contributes to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business growth which is positive for everyone.”
Cameron agrees. He adds, “This growth has strengthened our market presence and allowed us to seize new opportunities and execute more projects, enabling Zancott Knight to navigate the competitive landscape with confidence and agility.
“We are honoured to have partnered on two major milestones, from the first bond in 2018 with Zancott Knight to the bond with MPS that tipped the $1 billion threshold in 2024.”
The Performance Bond Trust is administered by IBA who provide bonds directly to an Indigenous-owned business or alternatively provide capital to enable the business to secure a bond from a mainstream bank. When kicked off in 2018, IBA co-invested $10 million in the facility along with National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) matching a further $10 million.
Find out more about IBA Performance Bonds.
Media contact: Tara Toohill 02 9207 6362 or tara.toohill@iba.gov.au
We are making exciting changes to our online services, including the EOI for a home loan. The current EOI system will be unavailable from Thursday 28 March for approximately four weeks.
If you've already started an EOI, you can still complete and submit until 12 April.
If you'd like us to let you know once the Expression of Interest is back again, please fill out your details here.
Has your home or business been impacted by the recent bushfires to parts of the Central Highlands in Tasmania?
If you have an IBA home loan or business finance product and have been impacted by this weather event, we want to reassure you and your family that IBA is here in times of need.
Customers impacted by the recent natural disaster can apply for an emergency natural disaster relief grant – $5,000 for IBA business finance customers and/or $2,000 for IBA home loan customers.
All eligible customers should have received a direct link via SMS or email with information about how to apply. Applications accepted until midnight 15 May 2024, or until funds are exhausted (whichever comes first).
Additional information and resource links are below:
Has your home or business been impacted by the cyclone in Queensland or the storms and flooding in Victoria?
If you have an IBA home loan or business finance product and have been impacted by either of these weather events, we want to reassure you and your family that IBA is here in times of need.
Customers impacted by the recent natural disaster can apply for an emergency natural disaster relief grant – $5,000 for IBA business finance customers and/or $2,000 for IBA home loan customers.
All eligible customers should have received a direct link via SMS or email with information about how to apply.
QLD Grant Applications accepted until midnight 29 March 2024, or until funds are exhausted (whichever comes first).
VIC Grant Applications accepted until midnight 12 April 2024, or until funds are exhausted (whichever comes first).
Additional information and resource links are below:
The interest rates for some of IBA business loans are changing based on market conditions.
All impacted customers will be notified in writing about the change to their interest rate and loan repayment amount. Interest rate changes will come into effect on 28 February 2024.
IBA Business Solutions has a range of resources available on our website including workshops to assist you manage your loan and review your budgeting and financial management skills.
We’re always here to help. If you have any concerns about managing your business loan repayments or are experiencing financial difficulty, please call us on 1800 107 107 to discuss your circumstances, or submit an online enquiry form to arrange for someone to contact you.
